Substance dispensing system

ABSTRACT

A substance dispensing system comprising in combination:—a disposable container ( 1 ) filled with a portion of a substance, the container having a preformed and deformable body with a bottom ( 2 ), a peripheral wall ( 3 ) adjoining said bottom and having a top end remote from said bottom, an integral circumferential rim ( 4 ) extending outwards from the top end of the peripheral wall and defining a filling opening of said container, said disposable container being closed by a cover sheet ( 5 ) which is sealed to the circumferential rim by means of a circumferential seal ( 6 ), and—a dispensing apparatus ( 30 ) comprising a compression device having a cover sheet side support member ( 15 ) for the cover sheet side of the container as well as a bottom engaging member ( 20 ) for engaging on the bottom of the container, said compression device being adapted to compress the container by reduction of the distance between the cover sheet side support member and the bottom engaging member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/NL2008/000275, filed Dec. 12, 2008, which claims the benefit ofEuropean Application No. EP 07076119.2, filed Dec. 21, 2007, thecontents of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a substance dispensing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

From WO 2007/025773 a dispensing system is known, which system includesa dispensing apparatus and disposable container filled with a portion ofa substance. This known system is highly suitable as a beveragedispensing system, wherein the substance dispensed from the disposablecontainer is mixed with water, e.g. cold or hot water, possiblycarbonated water. As disclosed in said document the substance can bedispensed directly from the disposable container into a drinkingreceptacle, the water preferably also being dispensed directly into saidreceptacle.

The system also is suitable for substances that are not to be combinedwith water or another liquid, e.g. pharmaceutical products, foodproducts other than for beverages, animal food products (e.g. for fish),detergents, soaps, synthetic oil products, grease, glue, etc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention aims to propose further enhancements of the knownsystem.

For instance the invention aims to propose one or more measures thatallow for a simple construction of the dispensing apparatus, preferablyallowing to create a domestic dispensing apparatus.

Also the invention aims to propose one or more measures that allow foreasy use of the dispensing apparatus.

Also the invention aims to propose one or more measure that allow forthe combination of the substance with carbonated water, or othercarbonated liquid, in an attractive manner, in particular for domesticuse.

The inventive dispensing system comprises in combination:

a disposable container filled with a portion of a substance, thecontainer having a deformable body with a bottom, a peripheral walladjoining said bottom and having a top end remote from said bottom, anintegral circumferential rim extending outwards from the top end of theperipheral wall and defining a filling opening of said container, saiddisposable container being closed by a cover sheet which is sealed tothe circumferential rim by means of a circumferential seal, and

a dispensing apparatus comprising a compression device having a coversheet side support member for the cover sheet side of the container aswell as a bottom engaging member for engaging on the bottom of thecontainer, said compression device being adapted to compress thecontainer by reduction of the distance between the cover sheet sidesupport member and the bottom engaging member,

wherein the cover sheet side support member has a recess therein whichis arranged and dimensioned so as extend across a section of thecircumferential seal, so that upon compression of the initially closedcontainer the substance therein is pressurised causing the cover sheetto deform into the recess thereby breaking the circumferential seal atsaid section so that the substance is discharged from the container.

Preferably the circumferential rim is provided with one or more downwardprotruding rim projections, each positioned at a location outwardlyspaced from the peripheral wall.

In a preferable embodiment said projections are each formed by localdeformation of the rim. In a preferable embodiment the projection is ahollow boss having an opening at the topside of the rim and closed atthe lower end, the cover sheet covering the open end. In a preferableembodiment the one or more projections are each cylindrical.

According to one aspect of the invention the dispensing apparatusincludes one or more container guide members defining a path for thecontainer to slide along in the apparatus, wherein the guide members areadapted to be engaged by one or more of the projections sliding alongthe guide members.

Preferably the dispensing apparatus has a housing with an insertionopening for a container, said guide members extending in the apparatusso as to guide the container towards the compression device, preferablybased on gravity.

This aspect also envisages an embodiment wherein the dispensingapparatus has a discharge opening for compressed containers, said guidemembers extending in the apparatus so as to guide said compressedcontainer from the compression device towards said discharge opening.

According to another aspect of the invention the dispensing apparatushas a mobile container receiving member, allowing a user to engage acontainer with said container receiving member, said receiving memberthen being operable so as to move said container to the compressiondevice.

In a possible embodiment the receiving member is pivotally arranged inthe dispensing apparatus. In an alternative embodiment the receivingmember is linear guided in the dispensing apparatus.

In a possible embodiment the receiving member comprises one or morebores corresponding to one or more projections of the container, so asto couple the container to the receiving member by introduction of saidone or more projections into said bores. For instance the receivingmember has two bores adapted to receive two projections, arrangedopposite the break-up section of the seal.

In a possible embodiment the apparatus has a housing and a pivotalreceiving member for the disposable container at a top side of thehousing, wherein the receiving member is pivotable about a horizontalaxis, so as to receive the container in an upper position above the topside of the housing and allowing introduction of the container down intothe housing.

The invention also relates to a system, wherein the cover sheet sidesupport member is a stationary member of the apparatus, the apparatusbeing adapted to introduce the disposable container sideways betweensaid support member and the bottom engaging member.

For instance the apparatus has an insertion opening for the disposablecontainer which is positioned directly above the compression deviceallowing to introduce the disposable container in the compression devicebased on gravity.

The invention also relates to a system wherein the apparatus has aninsertion opening for the disposable container and wherein the containeris provided with identification means, preferably representing at leastthe substance contained in the container, so as to allow automaticidentification of the container, and wherein the apparatus hasidentification recognition means for automatically identifying thecontainer and preferably the substance therein, and wherein theidentification recognition means are arranged at a position along thepath between the insertion opening and the compression device.

The invention also relates to a system wherein the apparatus comprises astop member that cooperates with one or more rim projections of thedisposable container, which stop member is placed along or at the end ofa passage for the container in the apparatus, the stop member beingadapted to hold the container in a distinct position along or at the endof such a passage, for example in an end position of the passage in thecompression device.

The invention also relates to a system wherein the compression device isprovided with retention means engaging with one or more rim projectionsof the disposable container in order to retain the disposable containerwith respect to the cover side sheet support member, and wherein thecompression device further includes a rim projection compression memberfor each rim projection engaged by said retention means, such thatcompression of said one or more rim projections causes the retention tobe ceased. In a possible embodiment the one or more rim projectioncompression members are integral with the bottom engaging member of thecompression device.

The invention also relates to a system wherein the bottom engagingmember of the compression device comprises bottom retention enhancingmeans that enhance the retention of the bottom by said bottom engagingmember allowing to take along the compressed container with theretracting bottom compression member. For instance the retentionenhancing means include a suction device, e.g. a suction cup or a vacuumdevice.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the storage and/or pumpingof (carbonated) water in the system.

In an embodiment of the system the dispensing apparatus includes atleast one water pump adapted to provide a portion of water to bedispensed substantially simultaneous with the discharge of substancefrom the disposable container.

In a preferred embodiment the compression device and the water pump aremanually operable, a common manual operating device being provided andconnected to both said compression device and the water pump.

In a possible embodiment the water pump is a piston pump, a singlestroke of said piston pump providing the portion of water to be combinedwith the substance dispensed from the disposable container.

In a possible embodiment of the system a water dispensing outlet isprovided in the cover sheet side support member, in the vicinity of therecess.

In a possible embodiment the dispensing apparatus includes a cold waterpump and a hot water pump, the cold water pump being associated with acold water circuit and the hot water pump being associated with a hotwater pump. In a simple embodiment the cold water pump and the hot waterpump are manually operable pumps, the dispensing apparatus including acommon manual operating device selectively engageable with either thehot water pump or the cold water pump.

In a possible embodiment the dispensing device includes a cold waterstorage unit associated with a cooling device.

In a possible embodiment the system includes a water storage containerhaving a connector allowing the water storage container to bedisconnected from the dispensing apparatus, e.g. for filling the waterstorage container.

In a preferred embodiment the cold water storage unit comprises areceiving chamber for receiving the water storage container.

In a possible embodiment the system includes a pressurised carbondioxide vessel, and the water storage container is provided with aconnector allowing the carbon dioxide vessel to be connected to thewater storage container.

In a possible embodiment of the system the water storage container isadapted to contain pressurized carbonated water, e.g. the carbonatedwater is at a pressure of at least 1.1 bar. For instance the waterstorage container has a pressure resistant housing as well as acollapsible bag held inside said housing, said bag being incommunication with the connector and adapted to receive the water.

In a possible embodiment the system has a cold water storage unit with areservoir for storage of cold water, wherein said system includes a userrefillable water storage reservoir which is detachable from thedispensing apparatus for refilling, e.g. under a tap, wherein userrefillable water storage reservoir has a connector element, and whereinthe dispensing apparatus is provided with a mating connector element forconnection to the connector element of said user fillable water storagereservoir, said connector element of the dispensing apparatus is incommunication with both the reservoir for storage of cold water—so as tofill said reservoir—and in direct communication with the hot watercircuit. In a possible embodiment the cold water storage unit is bothconnected to the cold water circuit and the hot water circuit.

The present invention also relates to a dispensing apparatus asdisclosed herein.

The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing asubstance wherein use is made of the inventive system.

The different proposals are further disclosed in the appended claims andin the description of the drawings.

The present invention further relates to a beverage dispensing systemcomprising in combination a disposable container filled with a portionof a substance and a dispensing apparatus adapted to receive thedisposable container, wherein the dispensing apparatus is adapted tocause discharge of the substance from the disposable container, thedispensing apparatus further comprising at least one water pump adaptedto provide a portion of water to be dispensed.

In this alternative system the container may be embodied different fromthe container as generally described in claim 1, e.g. as a container towhich water is fed to discharge the substance from the container.Another embodiment the substance is dispensed separately with the use ofa discharge device in the apparatus, e.g. a compression device or othermechanism causing the substance to be dispensed from the disposablecontainer.

In a preferred embodiment the discharge device and the water pump aremanually operable, a common manual operating device being provided andconnected to both said discharge device and the water pump. For instancethe water pump is a piston pump, a single stroke of said piston pumpproviding the portion of water.

In a variant of the beverage dispensing system the dispensing apparatusincludes a cold water pump and a hot water pump, the cold water pumpbeing associated with a cold water circuit and the hot water pump beingassociated with a hot water pump. In a possible embodiment the coldwater pump and the hot water pump are manually operable pumps, thedispensing apparatus including a common manual operating deviceselectively engageable with either the hot water pump or the cold waterpump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a, b show in plan view and in elevational view an example of adisposable container 1 for the system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows in elevational view, partly in cross-section the disposablecontainer of FIGS. 1 a, b as well as diagrammatically indicatedcomponents of an exemplary compression device of a dispensing apparatusof the system,

FIG. 3 shows a portion of the housing of an exemplary dispensingapparatus,

FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically, in elevational view and partly in crosssection another dispenser apparatus and a container,

FIG. 4 a shows diagrammatically the apparatus of FIG. 4 in front view,

FIG. 5 shows diagrammatically, in elevational view and partly in crosssection yet another dispenser apparatus and a container,

FIGS. 6 a, b show an example of a dispensing apparatus having a stopmember cooperating with the one or more projections of the rim,

FIG. 7 shows an example of the compression device, wherein retentionmeans are provided that engage with one or more rim projections of thedisposable container,

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the dispenser apparatus,

FIG. 9 shows a compact design of the bottom engaging member and itsassociated drive,

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary dispensing apparatus a compression device forthe container 1 as well as a water pump,

FIG. 11 shows diagrammatically a dispensing apparatus to be used inconjunction with container 1 and compression device,

FIG. 12 shows the hot and cold water circuits of a dispensing apparatus,

FIG. 13 alternative hot and cold water circuits of a dispensingapparatus,

FIG. 14 shows a further alternative for providing hot and cold water ina dispensing apparatus, in particular a beverage dispensing apparatus,

FIG. 15 shows a system with a dispenser apparatus, in particular abeverage dispenser apparatus, and with a pressurised carbon dioxidevessel,

FIG. 16 shows the piercing of the cover sheet by a boss of a containerreceiving member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 a, b and 2 show a disposable container 1 which is filled with aportion of a substance, e.g. a beverage preparation substance.

The container 1 has a preformed and deformable plastic body with abottom 2, a peripheral wall 3 adjoining said bottom 2 and having a topend remote from said bottom. The body has an integral planarcircumferential rim 4 which extends outwards from the top end of theperipheral wall 3 and defines a filling opening of the container 1. Thecontainer 1 is closed by a cover sheet 5 which is heat-sealed to thecircumferential rim 4 by means of a circumferential seal 6.

The seal 6 here has a section 6 a where the seal 6 is expected to breakup as the substance in the container 1 is pressurized due to compressionof the container 1. This breaking up is here enhanced by a specialdesign of the seal with a pointed centre 6 b. As is known the seal 6 isextended by dispensing channel side seal sections 7 a, b, which betweenthem form a dispensing channel 9 from the seal section 6 a to the outerend of the cover sheet 5 and the rim 4, here in the area of thedispensing channel 9 formed by an also planar tab portion 4 a of the rim4.

As is preferred the body of the container 1 is produced in massproduction from a planar sheet, e.g. from a roll, of plastic material,which has been suitably heated and then formed, e.g. by vacuum, in asuitable mould. In this known production process a large number ofbodies is formed, still attached to one another. Cutting devices themake cuts separating the bodies from one another, possibly while leavingbehind breakable bridges between them. The container 1 is then filledand closed by application of the cover sheet, usually via a heat-sealingprocess.

As is known, and is preferred in the context of this application, thecircumferential rim 4 is here provided with one or more downward(towards the bottom 2) protruding rim projections 10 a-d, preferablyfour distributed around the peripheral wall 3, more preferably two (10a, b) at opposite sides of the dispensing channel 9 and two others (10c, d) at the side of the rim 4 remote from the discharge side. Eachprojection 10 here is spaced outwardly from the peripheral wall 3.

As is preferred these projections 10 a-d are each formed by localdeformation of the rim 4 using the vacuum forming technique, so thateach projection 10 a-d is a hollow boss having an opening at the topsideof the rim 4 and a blind side at the lower end, the cover sheet 5covering the open end. In a preferred embodiment each projection 10 a-dis cylindrical.

FIG. 2 shows the container 1 as well as diagrammatically a cover sheetside support member 15 against which the cover sheet side of thecontainer 1 is made to bear as a support during the compression processof the container 1.

This member 15 is part of the compression device of a dispensing device(not shown here). The compression device further includes a bottomengaging member 20, which is adapted for engaging the bottom 2 of thecontainer 1. The compression device is adapted to compress the container1 by reduction of the distance between the cover sheet side supportmember 15 and the bottom engaging member 20. As will be understood thiscan be done e.g. by arranging the member 15 stationary in the apparatus(at least during the compression process) and moving the member 20towards the member 15, e.g. by a suitable electric or manual drive.

The cover sheet side support member 15 has a recess 15 a therein whichis arranged and dimensioned so as extend across the section 6 a of thecircumferential seal 6, so that upon compression of the initially closedcontainer 1 the substance therein is pressurised causing the cover sheet5 to deform into the recess 15 a thereby breaking the circumferentialseal at said section 6 a so that the substance is discharged from thecontainer via the discharge channel 9 between the cover sheet 5 and thetab 4 a.

FIG. 3 shows a portion, here the top end, of the housing of an exemplarydispensing apparatus 30 having insertion opening 31 connected to areceiving passage 32 for a container 1. Preferably the container 1 isinsertable with its cover sheet side 5 in vertical orientation and withthe dispensing side (preferably formed by a tab 4 a) in downwarddirection. This is suitable for containers according to claim 1, with orwithout the projections 10 a-d being provided.

Preferably the passage 32 may lead directly to the compression device,so between the members 15 and 20.

Preferably the passage 32 is such that the container 1 passes throughthe passage 32 based on gravity. The passage 32 may e.g. be vertical(e.g. the compression device being arranged vertically below theinsertion opening 31), but could also be inclined and/or includeinclined sections towards the compression device.

The insertion opening 31 and passage 32 could also lead to the container1 to or along an identification recognition station, whereidentification recognition means are arranged to identify the container1, for example the container 1 is provided with a bar code and theidentification recognition station includes a bar code reader.

As is preferred the dispensing apparatus 30 includes one or morecontainer guide members 33 defining a path for the container 1 in theapparatus. Here these guide members 33 are adapted to be slidinglyengaged by one or more of the projections 10 a-d sliding along the guidemembers 33. Here the guide members 33 are designed to cooperate with theprojections 10 c, d as is preferred as their outer sides are spacedfurther apart than the diameter of the peripheral wall 3, so that theperipheral wall 3 will be spaced from the guide members 33.

Here the guide members 33 are C-shaped, one leg lying against the coversheet, the opposed leg lying against the bottom side of the projections10 c, d. In another embodiment the guide members 33 could be designed toengage also on the outer sides of the projections 10 c, d.

Compared to cooperation of guide members with the planar portions of therim 4 (either portions of the outer contour thereof or of the underside)the cooperation with the one or more of these downward extendingprojections 10 c, d has the advantage of reduced friction and improvedguidance. This guidance is e.g. enhanced as the projections 10 a-d arevacuum formed in a mould, causing them to have uniform dimensions.

Guidance through a passage in the dispensing apparatus based oncooperation with one or more downward projections of the rim 4 with oneor more guide members (such as 33) in the apparatus has the advantagethat different volume containers 1 can be accepted by the device. Forinstance one can envisage that different volume containers 1 areidentically dimensioned in the region of the cover sheet 5 and the rim 4(including projections 10) but have different heights of the peripheralwall 3. As the guidance is independent from said peripheral wall 3 orthe bottom 4, these different volume containers 1 will all slide alongthe guide members.

It will be appreciated that a dispensing apparatus could have adischarge passage leading from the compression device to a dischargeopening for compressed and emptied containers 1. Also this passage couldbe arranged to allow the container 1 to pass based on gravity.

In the event compression of the container 1 has left intact one or moreof the downward projections of the rim 4, e.g. all four projections 10a-d, said one or more projections, preferably at least two of suchintact projections 10 c, d, could cooperate with guide members alongsaid discharge passage for compressed and emptied containers 1. As canbe seen in FIG. 2 dispensing of the substance does not require thecompression of the projections 10 a-d, and when these projections areremote from the peripheral wall (as is preferred) the compression of theperipheral wall 3 will not affect the integrity of the projections.

FIG. 4 shows diagrammatically, in elevational view and partly in crosssection a dispenser apparatus 40 and a container 1.

The dispensing apparatus 40 has a mobile container receiving member 41allowing a user to engage a container 1 with said container receivingmember 41, said member 41 then being operable so as to move saidcontainer 1 to the compression device 15, 20.

Here the receiving member 41 is linearly guided in the apparatus, inthis example in vertical direction between an upper receiving andpossibly also discharge position and a lower compression positionwherein the container 1 is in the compression device.

As can be seen the receiving member 41 comprises one or more bores 42corresponding to one or more projections 10 a-d of the container 1, soas to couple the container 1 to the receiving member 41 by introductionof said one or more projections 10 a-d into said bores 42. As mentionedabove the projections 10-d are well defined elements at well definedlocations, preferably identical in this respect for different volumecontainers 1.

It is envisaged to provide the receiving member 41 with only two bores42 corresponding to projections 10 c, d, i.e. the bores opposite thedischarge side of the container 1. The projections and bores could bedesigned to provide a (light) frictional fit.

Preferably the receiving member 10 is designed so as to suspend thecontainer 1 from the bores 42, i.e. with the cover sheet insubstantially vertical orientation.

In FIG. 4 it can be recognized that the cover sheet support member 15 isa stationary part of the apparatus, having no mobility whatsoever. Thisallows for a simple and robust construction of said member 15.

As is preferred the face of said member 15 (including the recess 15 a)against which the cover sheet 5 comes to bear is substantially verticalalthough inclined arrangements are also possible.

The compression member 20 is movable by an associated drive means 21,e.g. an electric spindle drive means.

The receiving member 41 allows to position the container 1 therein.Then, e.g. by pushing a button 42 a on a panel 43, a drive means 44associated with the member 41 is put into action and the receivingmember 41 transports the container 1 to a compression position.

As is clear the container 1 is here introduced in the compression devicefrom above. In another arrangement the introduction is sideways with themember 41 moving in a horizontal direction.

In FIG. 4 identification recognition means 45 are shown along the pathof the container when held by the receiving member 41. As explained thiscould be a barcode reader able to read a barcode on the bottom 2 of thecontainer 1 and thus allow for automatic identification of thecontainer, and in particular the substance therein.

The apparatus will dispense the substance for instance into a consumerreceptacle, such as a cup or mug, preferably placed on a platform 46 ofthe apparatus below the container 1 in its compression position, so thatthe substance is directly discharged into the receptacle without anycontact with the apparatus. The apparatus here also includes a water jetnozzle, allowing to direct a jet of water into the receptacle so thatthe substance is mixed and diluted. For instance the substance is a hotbeverage extract, e.g. coffee extract, and the water is hot water.

In FIG. 5 the receiving member 41 is pivotally connected to the frame ofthe dispensing apparatus, here via a pivot 46 having a horizontal pivotaxis. Again the member 15 is arranged stationary, the cover sheet 5coming to bear against the member 15. As will be appreciated by theskilled person a pivot connection between the receiving member 41 andthe frame of the apparatus is likely to be less expensive and less proneto wear and malfunction.

With reference to FIGS. 6 a, b it will now be described that the one ormore projections 10 a-d of the rim 4 can also serve to cooperate with asuitable stop member 50 of the dispensing apparatus which stop member 50is placed along or at the end of a passage for the container in theapparatus. The stop member 50 is adapted to hold the container 1 in adistinct position along or at the end of such a passage, such as in anend position of the passage in the compression device.

Here it can be seen that the stop member 50 is adapted to cooperate withthe projections 10 a, b at the side of the tab 4 a, which is a preferredembodiment of the stop member. A passage (not shown here, e.g. as inFIG. 3) of the apparatus has guided the container from above to withinthe compression device, the stop member 50 thus effectively defining theend of said passage.

Here the stop member 50 is movable between an active and refractedposition, the retracted position here allowing the removal of thecontainer 1 after dispensing of the substance. In this example the stopmember is pivotable with respect to the frame of the apparatus, e.g. byelectric drive, so that in the inactive position (shown in dashed lines)of the stop member 50 the container 1 can be conveyed away(substantially at right angles) from the member 15, e.g. by retention onthe bottom engaging member 20.

For effecting discharge of a container 1 after dispensing of thesubstance it can be desired that the compressed container 1 is movedalong with the retracting bottom engaging member 20, e.g. towards adischarge opening or passage within the dispensing apparatus (e.g. to awaste container within the apparatus).

To obtain this effect, or to enhance it, a preferred embodiment providesthat the bottom engaging member of the compression device comprisesbottom retention enhancing means that enhance the retention of thebottom 2 by said member 20 allowing to take along the compressedcontainer 1 with the retracting bottom compression member 20. This couldbe effected by suitable design of the member 20, e.g. withcircumferential groove(s) and/or rib(s) which grip the container as itis compressed. In another embodiment a suction device could be provided,e.g. a suction cup or a vacuum device causing a vacuum that holds thebottom to the member 20. FIG. 6 b shows by way of example a vacuumchannel 21 (that is connected to a vacuum source (not shown)) in themember 20, terminating in a vacuum suction opening at the side engagingthe bottom 2.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the compression device, having member 15 andmember 20 (not shown), wherein retention means 60 are provided thatengage with one or more rim projections 10 a-d of the disposablecontainer 1 in order to retain the disposable container with respect tothe cover side sheet support member 15 for the compression of thecontainer 1. It is envisaged that the compression device furtherincludes a rim projection compression member for each rim projectionengaged by said retention means, such that compression of said one ormore rim projections causes the retention to be ceased. Preferably saidone or more rim projection compression members are integral with thebottom engaging member 20 of the compression device.

In FIG. 7 the skilled person will recognize that the means 60 arestationary mounted so as to cooperate with the projections 10 c, d whenthe container 1 is in its compression position. In this example it isassume that the container 1 has been brought to said position fromabove, e.g. directly via an insertion opening or via a suitable passageof the apparatus. The container 1 now effectively becomes suspended fromsaid projections 10 c, d in the compression position. The member 20 willthen compress the container and substance discharged as shown with arrowD, through a large discharge opening of the housing of the apparatus (nocontact).

As mentioned above the member 20 could be designed to have integral rimprojection compression members causing the compression of theseprojections 10 c, d. The retention means 60, here suitable configuredbosses, are then so designed that they will not retain the compressedprojections 10 c,d, here by a suitable spacing of these means 60 fromthe face of member 15 (so that the compressed projections are free fromsaid means 60).

In conjunction with compression of the projections 10 c,d it isadvantageous design to have a discharge chute 65 from then lower end ofthe compression device to a discharge opening (not shown) so that thecompressed container falls into said chute 65. This happens as themember 20 is retracted.

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the dispenser apparatus wherein the member15 is embodied movable, here as a hinged door of the housing 11,allowing the user to bring the member 15 in an access position, whereinthe container can be brought into a space where it is held by suitableretention means, e.g. bores 42 in a stationary retention member, whichbores cooperate with the projections 10 a-d.

An optical identification recognition device, such as a barcode reader45, is position in the apparatus, able to read the identification codeof the bottom 2.

In this apparatus a first detail is that the member 20, its associateddrive (here with motor 20 a and transmission 20 b) are mounted mobile inthe dispensing apparatus, between retracted position (shown in FIG. 7)and an active position aligned with the container 1 and the member 15.Here a sideways mobility is shown.

This mobility allows e.g. the optical device 45 to have a “reading pathto the bottom of the container” that would otherwise be hindered by thepresence of the member 20 at its active position. The optical device 45could be arranged stationary but could also be mobile, e.g. for thepurpose of reading the identification (e.g. barcode).

In this example the member 20 and its associated drive are linear guidedin the frame of the apparatus, here horizontally. A further drive motor22 with transmission (here spindle 23) are provided to move said memberand its associated drive. In this example optical device 45 is moved bythe same spindle 23.

The mobility of member 20 and its associated drive in this example alsoallow for the compressed container 1 to be deposited in a waste bin 24inside the apparatus, effectively below the member 20 during thecompression stage. As will be understood this is possible when theretention means for the container 1 allow the container 1 move away fromdoor 15 while said door 15 is still closed.

FIG. 9 shows a compact design of the member 20 and its associated drivewith motor 20 a and transmission.

The member 20 has an axial body 20 d provided with screw thread(coarse), the body 20 d being prevented from rotation with respect to aframe subassembly 25 by suitable means (not shown), e.g. a pin in anaxial groove or elongated guide ways.

The frame subassembly 25 supports the electric motor 20 a with its axisparallel to the body 20, which allows a compact design.

The rotary output shaft of the motor 20 a is connected via a suitabletransmission to rotatable member (here 200 having screw thread meshingwith the screw thread on body 20 d.

Here the body 20 d is provided with external screw thread. The outputshaft is provided with a pinion 20 e, meshing with an annular gear 20 fextending around the body 20 d. The gear 20 f is mounted rotatably onthe frame subassembly 25 via a bearing 20 g. This gear 20 f isinternally provided with a screw thread engaging the outer screw threadon body 20 d.

It will be appreciated that the body 20 d could be annular with internalscrew thread, the member 20 f having external screw thread and extendingwithin the annular body.

As will be understood the motor 20 a has two operating directionsallowing the body 20 d to be extended or retracted (corresponding tocompression of the container 1 with member 20 and retraction of saidmember 20).

As mentioned in the introduction the dispensing apparatus could beprovided to dispense a volume (a portion) of water in according with thedispensing of substance from the disposable container 1. The dispensingof water is preferably done simultaneous with the dispensing of thesubstance, or at least with some overlap time wise, to enhancemixing/dilution.

In known embodiments the apparatus is provided with an electric pump ortwo electric pumps. Such pumps are rather costly.

In FIG. 10 an exemplary dispensing apparatus is shown having acompression device 15, 20 for the container 1 as well as a water pump70. The pump 70 is connected to a water source, here schematicallyindicated as a reservoir 71.

In FIG. 10 both the compression device 15, 20 and the water pump 70 aremanually operable. A common manual operating device 75 is provided whichis connected to both said compression device 15, 20 and the water pump70. In this simple embodiment the manual operating device 75 comprises alever 76 with hand grip 77, which can be pivoted (preferably up anddown) about a pivot 76 a. A connecting link 78 connects the lever 76 tothe member 20, whereas a connecting link 79 connects the lever 76 to thepump 70. Instead of links 78, 79 other transmissions, e.g. using chain,belt, gear, etc., could be used.

The pump 70 preferably is a piston pump, a single stroke of the pistoncorresponding to the desired volume of water.

The piston pump 70 is associated with an inlet valve 70 a and an outletvalve 70 b.

In the FIG. 10 apparatus a single lever motion by the user by hand (heredown as is preferred) effects both the compression of the container 1 asthe pumping of the water.

In FIG. 10 another detail to be noted is that a water dispensing outlet80 is provided in the cover sheet side support member 15, in thevicinity of the recess 15 a. The outlet 80 is preferably directed toprovide a jet of water which “merges” with the jet of substance from thecontainer 1, e.g. at an angle of less than 20 degrees with respect tosaid jet of substance.

The arrangement of the outlet 80 in the member 15 near the recess 15 ais especially advantageous when the member 15 is arranged stationarywithin the apparatus, e.g. when the container is deposited from abovebetween the member 15 and the member 20 of the compression device. Thestationary arrangement of the member 15 facilitates the connection ofthe outlet 80 to the water pump 70 (or multiple water pumps).

The common drive of the water pump and the compression device could alsobe effected when the drive is not manual but by means of a singleelectric motor. In said arrangement a single electric motor would beconnected to both the compression device and the pump, preferably so asto operate them simultaneous.

In a possible embodiment the piston pump is mounted parallel to thecompression device, so that linear motions of the piston pump and thecompression device can be effected with a common drive (manual orelectric).

A common drive for the compression device and the water pump allows toobtain a reliable and attractive “timing” of the dispensing of substanceand of water.

FIG. 11 shows diagrammatically a dispensing apparatus to be used inconjunction with container 1 and compression device 15, 20 having a coldwater pump 85 and a hot water pump 80; here both piston pumps dimensionto supply a portion of water to be mixed with the substance in thecontainer 1 when the piston makes a single stroke.

Making use of distinct pumps for cold and hot water instead of a singlepump avoids that the temperature of the pump (e.g. the housing of thepump) would impair the temperature of the dispensed water.

As depicted the cold water pump 85 is associated with a cold watercircuit and the hot water pump 80 is associated with a hot watercircuit. This allows e.g. the use of the dispenser apparatus for thepreparation of cold and hot beverages.

In FIG. 11 it is also suggested that the cold water pump 85 and the hotwater pump 80 are manually operable pumps, the dispensing apparatusincluding a common manual operating device 86 selectively engageablewith either the hot water pump or the cold water pump. In thisembodiment the device 86 includes a selector 87 to select which pistonrod 85 a, 80 a will operate its associated piston, here by sliding thepiston rods sideways.

It will be understood that the piston hot and cold water pumps 80, 85could also be operated by a common electric drive, a selector beingprovided to determine which pump is actually driven by the electricdrive.

When having distinct cold and hot water pumps, it can be envisaged tohave the housing of the cold water pump cooled by a cooling device (e.g.the same device that cools the water) and/or the housing of the hotwater pump heated by a heating device (e.g. the same device that heatsthe water).

It will be understood that the elaborations made with regard to FIG. 11also are applicable to other dispensing apparatuses (in particular forbeverages) which are used in combination with a disposable container,wherein the container is not compressed during dispensing but e.g. aflow of (hot or cold) water is made to pass through the containerentraining the substance in the container (e.g. as in the Tassimo™product).

FIG. 12 shows the hot and cold water circuits of a dispensing apparatusto be used preferably in combination with a container that is to becompressed. A water storage container 90 is shown having a connector 91allowing the water storage container 90 to be connected to anddisconnected from the dispensing apparatus. As an option the container90 includes a filter 90 a for the water. The container 90 can be filledby the consumer at a remote location and then connected to theapparatus. For instance the container 90 has a volume between 0.25 and2.5 litres.

A pump, e.g. an electrical pump, 92 is provided, interconnected to boththe cold and hot water circuit. The discharge of water (hot or cold) isgoverned by a valve 93, 94 in each circuit.

The apparatus has a hot water circuit including an electrical flowthrough heater 95, that heats a flow of water as it flows through theheater 95. Such heaters are well known in the art.

The apparatus also includes a flow through cooler 96 which cools thewater as it flows through the cooler 96. Preferably the cooler 96 hasthe capacity to cool water from ambient (e.g. 20 degrees) to 5 degreesas the water is discharged, so without pre-cooling of the water. Forinstance the cooler 96 contains a meandering conduit within a metalblock 97 (packed in insulating material), which block is cooled by aPeltier element 98. Heat from the peltier element 98 can be removedusing a fan 99 and cooling ribs 98 a on the peltier element.

FIG. 13 shows alternative hot and cold water circuits of a dispensingapparatus to be used preferably in combination with a container that isto be compressed. Here the dispensing apparatus includes a cold waterstorage unit 100 associated with a cooling device 105. The cold waterstorage unit 100 is adapted to store water at a temperature belowambient, e.g. at a temperature between 4 and 7° C.

As is preferred between the storage unit 100 and the outlet for coldwater 101 no further cooling device is present. Preferably the conduit102 between the storage unit 100 and the outlet 101 is insulated asshown here.

It will be understood that the elaborations made with regard to FIG. 12also are applicable to other dispensing apparatuses (in particular forbeverages) which are used in combination with a disposable container,wherein the container is not compressed during dispensing but e.g. aflow of (hot or cold) water is made to pass through the containerentraining the substance in the container (e.g. as in the Tassimo™product).

The FIG. 13 shows that a water heater device 105 is provided, connectedto the cold water storage 100 so that the heater device 105 is fed withcold water. Said device 105 can be an electric boiler 106 as shown here,preferably suitable to provide water at a temperature between 70 and100° C. to hot water outlet 107.

As will be understood this arrangement of a cold water storage incombination with the heater device requires a somewhat larger capacityof the heater device as with a feed of ambient temperature water. Yetthis drawback is compensated by the storage of cold water and theabsence of two storages for water (one cold, one ambient).

It can be envisaged that the storage unit 100 includes a reservoirstationary in the apparatus. It is however preferred to have a userportable water storage container 90 with a connector 91 as describedabove, which can be placed in a receiving chamber of the cooled storageunit 100.

Preferably the user portable storage unit 90 is such that it can befilled by the user and then placed in a domestic refrigerator, e.g. thesize of a milk carton (or two or three combined milk cartons), so thatthe water can be cooled in the refrigerator.

Preferably the storage unit 90 can be closed allowing it to be put inany orientation in a refrigerator without leaking water.

Cooling of the water, or of the receiving chamber, can be effected witha Peltier element(s), e.g. as disclosed with reference to FIG. 12.

It will be understood that the elaborations made with regard to FIG. 13also are applicable to other dispensing apparatuses (in particular forbeverages) which are used in combination with a disposable container,wherein the container is not compressed during dispensing but e.g. aflow of (hot or cold) water is made to pass through the containerentraining the substance in the container (e.g. as in the Tassimo™product).

FIG. 14 shows a further alternative for providing hot and cold water ina dispensing apparatus, in particular a beverage dispensing apparatus.Here the apparatus includes a cold water storage unit 109 which has areservoir 110 for storage of cold water. The system further includesuser portable and refillable water storage reservoir 120 which isdetachable from the dispensing apparatus for refilling, e.g. under atap.

The user refillable water storage reservoir 120 has a connector element121, and the dispensing apparatus is provided with a mating connectorelement 111 for connection to the connector element 121 of the userfillable water storage reservoir 120.

As can be seen the connector element 111 of the dispensing apparatus isin communication with the reservoir 110 for storage of cold water—so asto fill said reservoir 110 from the container 120. It is also shown thatthe connector element 111 is in direct communication with the hot watercircuit, here including water heater device 105 (here boiler) andconduit 106 leading to outlet 107. So the reservoir 120 can be filledwith water at ambient temperature by the user, e.g. 1-2 litres, and thenconnected to the apparatus to fill the reservoir 110 (when needed) andprovide a store of water that can be heated) or discharged at ambienttemperature when a further ambient conduit would connect to the element111 (e.g. upstream of the heater device 105).

Again the cold and hot water circuits can each include a distinct pump,a pump 125 for hot water and a pump 126 for cold water.

The cold water reservoir 110 could be part of a carbonator, orassociated therewith to obtain carbonated cold water 126. It can also beenvisaged to admix CO2 at a downstream position as indicated in FIG. 14.

In the embodiment of FIG. 15 it is envisaged to provide a system with adispenser apparatus, in particular a beverage dispenser apparatus, andwith a pressurised carbon dioxide vessel 130. Herein the water storagecontainer 140 is pressure resistant and is provided with a connector 141allowing the carbon dioxide vessel 130 to be connected to the waterstorage container 140 (with interposition of reduction valve 131). Theconnector 141 also allows to connect the container 140 to the watercircuit 142 of the dispenser apparatus, so that carbonated water can befed to said apparatus.

It can be envisaged that the container 140 is prefilled with carbonatedwater, the additional CO2 from bottle 130 both serving to expel thewater from the container 140 and to maintain the carbonization of thewater.

The container 140 containing carbonated water is preferably held in acooled water storage unit, e.g. in a receiving chamber thereof

Carbonated water could also be fed to the dispensing apparatus using awater storage container is adapted to contain pressurized carbonatedwater at a pressure of at least 1.1., preferably at least 2 bars. Such awater storage container could be designed similar to the present kegsfor beer in the Beertender™ and PerfectDraft™ systems, having a pressureresistant housing (metal) as well as a collapsible bag held inside saidhousing, said bag being in communication with the connector and adaptedto receive the carbonated water.

It will be understood that the elaborations made with regard to FIGS.14, 15 also are applicable to other dispensing apparatuses (inparticular for beverages) which are used in combination with adisposable container, wherein the container is not compressed duringdispensing but e.g. a flow of (hot or cold) water is made to passthrough the container entraining the substance in the container (e.g. asin the Tassimo™ product).

FIG. 16 shows a container receiving member 200 (e.g. similar to member15) equipped with one or more retention members 201, preferably embodiedas a short pin. As is shown here the container 1 has one or moreprojections 10 d embodied as a hollow boss having an opening at thetopside of the rim of the container and closed at the lower end, thecover sheet 5 covering the open end of the boss. As is shown the pin 201pierces the sheet 5 and extends into the hollow boss. Some clampingeffect may be obtained as the pin 201 fits clampingly into the boss. Thearrangement allows for an effective positioning and holding of thecontainer 1.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A substance dispensing system comprising,in combination: a disposable container filled with a portion of asubstance, the disposable container having a deformable body with abottom, a peripheral wall adjoining said bottom and having a top endremote from said bottom, an integral circumferential rim extendingoutwards from the top end of the peripheral wall and defining a fillingopening of said disposable container, said disposable container beingclosed by a cover sheet which is sealed to the circumferential rim bymeans of a circumferential seal, and a dispensing apparatus comprising acompression device having a cover sheet side support member for thecover sheet side of the disposable container as well as a bottomengaging member for engaging on the bottom of the disposable container,said compression device being adapted to compress the disposablecontainer by reduction of the distance between the cover sheet sidesupport member and the bottom engaging member, the cover sheet sidesupport member having a recess therein which is arranged and dimensionedso as extend across a section of the circumferential seal, so that uponcompression of the initially closed disposable container the substancetherein is pressurized causing the cover sheet to deform into the recessthereby breaking the circumferential seal at said section so that thesubstance is discharged from the disposable container, the dispensingapparatus including at least one water pump adapted to provide a portionof water to be dispensed, the compression device and the water pumpbeing manually driven by a common manual driving device connected toboth said compression device and said water pump, said manual drivingdevice comprising: a lever: a first transmission connecting the lever tothe compression device; and a second transmission connecting the leverto the water pump.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein: thewater pump is a piston pump, and a single stroke of said piston pumpprovides the portion of water.
 3. The system according to claim 1,wherein a water dispensing outlet is provided in the cover sheet sidesupport member, in the vicinity of the recess.
 4. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein the dispensing apparatus includes a cold water pumpand a hot water pump, the cold water pump being associated with a coldwater circuit and the hot water pump being associated with a hot watercircuit.
 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein: the cold waterpump and the hot water pump are manually operable pumps, and the commonmanual driving device is selectively engageable with either the hotwater pump or the cold water pump.
 6. The system according to claim 1,wherein the dispensing apparatus includes a cold water storage unitassociated with a cooling device.
 7. The system according to claim 6,further comprising a water storage container including a dispendingconnector for selectably connecting the water storage container to thedispensing apparatus.
 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein thecold water storage unit comprises a receiving chamber for receiving thewater storage container.
 9. The system according to claim 7, furthercomprising a pressurized carbon dioxide vessel, and wherein the waterstorage container includes a carbonation connector for selectablyconnecting the carbon dioxide vessel to the water storage container. 10.The system according to claim 7, wherein the water storage container isadapted to contain pressurized carbonated water.
 11. The systemaccording to claim 10, wherein said carbonated water is at a pressure ofat least 1.1 bar.
 12. The system according to claim 10, wherein saidwater storage container includes: a pressure resistant housing; and acollapsible bag inside said housing, said collapsible bag being incommunication with the dispensing connector and adapted to receive thewater.
 13. The system according to claim 6, wherein: the cold waterstorage unit includes a reservoir for storage of cold water, said systemincludes a user refillable water storage reservoir including adispensing apparatus connector element, the dispensing apparatusincludes a mating connector element for selectable connection to theconnector element of said user refillable water storage reservoir, andsaid mating connector element of the dispensing apparatus is incommunication with both the reservoir for storage of cold water and ahot water circuit.
 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein thecold water storage unit is connected to both a cold water circuit andthe hot water circuit.
 15. The system according to claim 1, wherein saidfirst transmission includes a link.
 16. The system according to claim 1,wherein said second transmission includes a link.
 17. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the lever is connected to a pivot and ispivotable around said pivot.
 18. The system according to claim 1,wherein the first transmission includes a gear.
 19. The system accordingto claim 1, wherein the second transmission includes a gear.